Let Freedom Ring...

I LOVE the Fourth of July! It is one of my favorite holidays...also happens to be the day that Kelly and I became a couple 12 years ago (cute!). Every 4th of July we do the exact same thing every year, which I love! The day started by attending the parade. All 3 girls really liked it...I think. Once the twins each got about 3 pieces of candy they were fine to go find a shady spot to eat it. I once told Ellie to "Come with me and lets get some more candy!" to which she held up a piece of taffy and yelled back "I already have one mom!" Fine by me sis! The girls didn't like the fire trucks ("Too loud mom!") and Taytum fell asleep amid all the chaos, but all in all I think we had a great time at the parade. After the parade we headed to that park...every year I tell myself we aren't going to go since it's kinda lame, but every year we still find our way down there directly after the parade. We didn't stay long, just long enough to say hi to friends and for the girls to ride a few rides, then we were off to Grandma Lindas for lunch, then Grandma and Papas for a BBQ. We had a rip roarin game of badmitton going on (Go Team Mondragon!!) when we realized it was almost firework time...my favorite part of the 4th festivites! My sweetheart got me hooked on fireworks. I think Kelly loves the fireworks more than anyone I have ever seen! I was a little nervous that the girls wouldn't like the noise...and I was right. Ellie watched the fireworks with her hands over her ears the entire time, but none the less still loved them, Taytum fell asleep about 10 minutes before the display and slept the entire way through them, and Reese hid under a blanket and slowly drifted off to sleep. I joked that nothing lulls my kids to sleep like loud, booming noises! I love that the traditions of 4th of July run so deep in this town...you know where every family in Grantsville sits during the parade, who you will see at the car show down at the park, whose kids will be dressed in the newest Gymboree 4th of July garb and I love that. I love that a small town can have such strong traditions and that the memories every year are renewed just as you left them the year before. I love so many things about the Fourth, but especially the opportunity we have to celebrate our freedom no matter how we choose. Not everyone can say that. Thanks to the men and women who fight for our freedom, rights and choices. Happy Independance Day! See you next year-same time, same place!!